B.C.'s vaccine passport requirement updated so 12-year-olds only need one dose
The government has promised to address an oversight in the B.C. Vaccine Card program that left some children excluded from movie theatres and restaurants after turning 12.
Currently, everyone 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to enter any settings that require proof of vaccination, including stadiums, gyms and skating rinks.
That's created problems for children who received their first dose of pediatric vaccine at age 11 – when they were exempt from the B.C. Vaccine Card system – and celebrated their 12th birthday before they became eligible for another shot.
On Friday, the Ministry of Health acknowledged receiving reports of those kids suddenly being "blocked from entry" at various venues and businesses, and said the issue will be resolved through updated provincial health orders decreasing the requirement to a single dose for 12-year-olds.
"This change is aimed at fairness for this age group, while they are waiting for the recommended time to receive their second dose," the ministry said in a statement.
The province only began vaccinating children between the ages of five and 11 on Nov. 29, and the recommended interval between shots is eight weeks. That means only children who received their first dose within the first few days of eligibility would be up for their second shot by now.
So far, 51 per cent of children under age 12 have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also announced the B.C. Vaccine Card program, which was originally scheduled to last until the end of January, was being extended for another five months, citing the ongoing risks posed by COVID-19.
"Even now with Omicron, some people are at much greater risk of hospitalizations and severe illness, and we need to bear that in mind," Henry said at the time.
"The B.C. Vaccine Card program is specifically designed to address and mitigate those risks (and) allow us to keep certain businesses and activities open."
The system is now scheduled to remain in place until June 30, unless the situation improves before then.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.